At a glance
- Soldier
- engineering
Arming our units is a vital job. Whatever the weapon – from artillery gun to pistol – you’ll repair, maintain and inspect them to ensure they are fit for purpose.
From pistols to artillery guns – as an Armourer, you’ll know all the Army’s weapons inside out. You’ll use your first-class training to repair, maintain and adapt them. That way, every unit will be armed and ready to fight. It’s an important job: there’s no room for mistakes with a gun that fires shells over 20 miles. You’ll work with specialist tools and gain qualifications, building a great career. One day, you could even run your own Armoury – but there are many other roles you can try first. Worldwide travel with good mates makes for an exciting life.
The Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) provides engineering support to maintain and repair the vast array of British Army equipment. They will be found wherever the Army is operating, at home or overseas. The technical training our soldiers’ receive gives them the confidence to tackle any engineering problem. We are professional, resourceful and resilient, and we strive to keep fit equipment in the hands of the user; to keep the punch in the Army’s fist.
Key Responsibilities
Keep the Army's weapon systems functional and safe to use
Conduct repairs and routine inspection of all Army weapon systems from pistols and rifles to artillery guns
Conduct technical repairs in challenging conditions to support the fighting troops
Continually develop your engineering and equipment knowledge of weapon systems
Have any questions? Talk with us
Reserve (part time)
Entry requirements
Age:
From 17 years & 9 months to 42 years & 6 months
Qualifications:
GCSC Grade A-C/9-4, or Scottish National 5 (A-C) in English, Maths and Science.
Basic physical fitness assessment:
Mid Thigh Pull 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw 3m
MSFT (beep test) level 6.6
Army Reserve standards
Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw: 2m 70cm
MSFT (beep test): Level 5 shuttle 8
Training for the role
Step 1
You start Basic Training, this consists of two main courses and some online training packages. You can book on the courses to fit around your daily life, so it could take you several months to finish your basic training.
Module 1: Foundation Training. 5 alternate residential weekends Fri - Sun at an Army training centre OR a nine-day residential course.
Module 2: Battlecamp. 15-day residential course at an Army training establishment. You will learn fieldcraft, Skill at Arms, fitness training, qualities of a soldier, military knowledge, Battlefield casualty drills, individual health and education. This will culminate with a Passing Off Parade which your family and friends can attend to celebrate your success.
Step 2
Then it’s time to learn how to repair, service, inspect and modify all the Army’s weapons so that others can depend on you to keep their critical equipment working. Training is modular and most of it is done at your Army Reserve unit (at evenings and weekends) with key lessons delivered during two-week residential courses at the Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at MOD Lyneham, Wiltshire.
Qualifications you could get after training
Eligibility for professional accreditation as an IMechE Engineering Technician once you have completed military Class 1 trade training.
Qualifications/accreditation in Leadership and Management.
You may also gain category B and C driving licences depending on your exact role.
Pay & benefits
You'll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £63.27 in training and once you're a Private and increasing as you rise through the ranks. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training, you're entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty.
How to Apply
When you decide to apply, your local unit will help you through the process - you don't need to wait until you've finished Army Assessment to get involved.
To join, you have to apply online. The application process will take some time, but you can also ring the unit you're interested in joining - the team there will help often invite you to join them for drill nights, and you'll get support for your application.